7 TED Talks That Will Inspire You

Even if you’re the wisest and most self-confident person around, sometimes it takes a little outside inspiration to dig deep and become the person you hope to be.

Check out the 7 TED talks below if you’re in need of a little guidance from the pros on how to reach for the stars when it comes to your career.

“Why you will fail to have a great career” by Larry Smith

If you’re the type who fails to go after your dreams with sufficient vigor or commitment, this talk is for you. It’s funny, bracing, and calls you out on all your crap. Stop making excuses for why you’re not pursuing your ideal career.

“Why the best hire might not have the perfect resume” by Regina Hartley

A HR exec tells us why and how and in which scenarios she prefers to go for the “scrapper” candidate and give someone a chance. Listen to how to maximize your chances when your resume is not yet maxed out to its (or your) full potential.

“How to find work you love” by Scott Dinsmore

This guy wasted years at a job he hated, then a few more figuring out what he really loved. Save yourself the middle steps and listen to what questions you need to be asking yourself in order to do what you love and love what you do.

“5 ways to kill your dreams” by Bel Pesce

Have a huge dream or a big idea but you’ve convinced yourself you can’t make it happen? Bel Pesce debunks the five myths that are probably holding you back. Get the confidence to make your dream projects happen.

“A kinder, gentler philosophy of success” by Alain de Botton

We all want success, and if we get it, we all think we’ve earned it. It’s a cutthroat world. Mr. de Botton helps us reconfigure the way we look at the concept of success, in hopes we can be gentler on ourselves and others, and make more meaning (and find more pleasure) in the work we do.

“How to get back to work after a career break” by Carol Cohen

A career re-entry expert helps you strategize how to get back in the game after short and long absences. Find out how to rebrand yourself as return-to-work talent and develop a game plan to get you back on top.

“Why we do what we do” by Tony Robbins

This talk is good enough for Al Gore—who’s sitting in the front row. Listen to a great talk about the “invisible forces” that motivate us, and how we can use them to maximize, rather than minimize, our potential.